The head of the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad) Yossi Cohen announced in closed talks that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was awaiting the US presidential elections in order to present a "gift" to the elected president.
"There is a very great effort in the Saudi arena, great pressure. We hope that something will bear fruit. It seems that the Saudis are waiting for the American elections to present a gift to the president-elect," Cohen said in statements revealed by Israeli Channel 12.
And the head of the Mossad had previously said such words earlier last month, when he said that Saudi Arabia is on the way to normalizing its relations with Israel.
Cohen refused - in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 last month - to confirm or deny his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying only with a smile, "I prefer not to comment."
In another interview with the Israeli station 13, Cohen commented on a question about Saudi Arabia's normalization of its relations with Israel soon, saying, "I am convinced that this is possible. I hope that this will happen this year," adding, "I am very hopeful that an agreement with Saudi Arabia is possible."
And Cohen added, "There are great efforts to bring more countries into an atmosphere of peace and normalization with Israel, and I strongly support that. I am convinced that this is possible. I certainly look forward to the good news, and it may be this year."
And Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said during an interview with The Washington Institute that normalizing relations with Israel is something it is envisaged that will eventually happen, but he considered that bringing the Palestinians and Israelis to the negotiating table should be a priority at the current stage.